Fradley village, Staffordshire.

[Treefan]

Hi, I am trying to find out about the history of the village of Fradley, Staffordshire & would welcome any help please.
I have several generations of Jones ancestors who were farmers in Fradley throughout the 1700's & 1800's & indeed into the 1900's too. Rye Croft Farm was the name of one of the family farms.
One of my Jones ancestors was a the village wheelwright & the family also owned a threshing machine which was hired out for the use by other farmers.
Another Jones ancestor became the landlord of the Bell Inn beerhouse in the village & I would welcome any info about the Bell Inn please.
Should anyone have any pictures too I would be very grateful please & I would willingly pay for any costs involved.

With many thanks,
Treefan.

[BumbleB]

Not a lot of help really, but I did find Fradley mentioned in Harrod & Company's Directory of 1870 - page 853 via www.historicaldirectories.org.  There doesn't appear to be anything in the 1890s or 1850's directories on this site.  There's certainly only one public house there now, at Fradley Junction on the canal, and that is The Swan.

If you get really stuck, I could go and have a look around - I only live in Tamworth, not very far away - if that would help.

BumbleB

[handm]

Hello,

I don't know if the following is  from a post of yours, but if not it might be of help.

http://www.british-genealogy.com/forums/showthread.php?p=331185

Handm

[Treefan]

Hi BumbleB,

That's a very kind offer but I don't want you to put yourself out like that, I just thought that there may be someone out there who might know something due to living there or perhaps through having ancestors from there themselves.

Thank again,
Treefan.

[Treefan]

Hi Handm,

Well spotted!  ~  thank you for letting me know,

Treefan.

[Gaille]

Hi,

I am from Manchester but I spend a lot of time around Fradley & Alrewas as my partner lives very close by & we love to go walking around the area.

Fradley Village & Fradley Junction are a little way apart, Alrewas is just down the road.
As BumbleB says the only Pub in the area of Fradley Junction now is the Swann.
I have been trying to think if there is another pub in the proximity but I cant think of any, the only ones I can think of are along the canal path, and I think they are all 'canal' linked names if I remember right.

I will ask Rob later for you, he has lived there all his life, as have his family, he may have a better idea than I have.

Gaille

[Treefan]

 
Many thanks Gaille, that would be very kind of you. I know that the beerhouse used to be in the village & not along the canal side but I'm not sure exactly where. From directories, I know that it was still in existence until at least the mid 1940's.

Thanks again,
Treefan.

[PaulStaffs]

Can't help much treefan but at least you're not alone as I have Fradley beerhouse problems too! My gt gt gt grandfather was a blacksmith and keeper of the William IV beerhouse in the 1830's. There are two smithys on the first series OS maps but no public houses although there is a William IV pub at Alrewas and the two villages are pretty much joined at the hip.

Good luck!

Paul

[Treefan]

Hi Paul,  it certainly tests out our little grey cells doesn't it!!
If I ever spot anything which I think will help you out I shall let you know.

Good luck,
Treefan.